Leite v Tarabay [2007] NSWDC 188

New South Wales District Court

CITATION: Leite v Tarabay [2007] NSWDC 188

HEARING DATE(S): 13 August 2007 - 15 August 2007

JUDGMENT DATE: 24 September 2007

JURISDICTION: Civil

JUDGMENT OF: Goldring DCJ

DECISION: Verdict for the plaintiff in the sum of $228 128.90.

CATCHWORDS: Torts - negligence - concurrent duty of care - res ipsa loquitur - contributory negligence - Workers Compensation Act s151Z - concurrent tortfeasors

LEGISLATION CITED: Workers Compensation Act 1987 ss 151Z, 151G, 151H, 151IA

Thompson v Woolworths (Q'land) Pty Ltd (2005) 221 CLR 234 Maricic v Dalma Formwork (Australia) Pty Limited & Anor [2006] NSWCA 174 CASES CITED: Grljak v Trivan Pty Ltd (1994) 35 NSWLR 82 Forstaff Blacktown Pty Limited v Brimac Pty Limited and Anor [2005] NSWCA 423 Clout Industrial Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) v Biaida Poultry Pty Ltd [2004] NSWCA 89, 61 NSWLR 111 Stevens v Brodribb Sawmilling Co Pty Ltd (1986) 160 CLR 16

PARTIES: Antonio Leite (Plaintiff) Maurice & Lydia Tarabay t/as M & L Tarabay (Defendant)

FILE NUMBER(S): 4230 of 2005

COUNSEL: Mr K.W. Andrews (Plaintiff) Mr P. Khandhar (Defendant)

SOLICITORS: Wyatt Attorneys (Plaintiff) Wotton & Kearney (Defendant)

JUDGMENT

1 HIS HONOUR:There are a number of issues in this case. a. are the defendants liable to the plaintiff? b. if the defendants are liable, is their liability reduced because of the operation of the workers compensation legislation, s 151Z? c. if the defendants are liable, was the plaintiff guilty of contributory negligence? d. if the defendants are liable, to what damages is the plaintiff entitled?